Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-02-24

not. But that Is like John to prefer his own
theories to the experience Of others. How
ever, don't suppose we should even notice
the privation except for the mails. 1t win
be lesson to John, though As Mr.. Lee
says, he is on the outside, and can probably
60 wherever he likes from the Summit ex-
cept TO como here"
"Mr. Leer echoed Kate.
Eyes, the wounded one; and the Others
name is Falkner. asked them in order that
you might be properly introduced. There
were very respectable Falkners in Charles
town, you remember; / thought you might
warm to the name and perhaps trace the CON
nection now that you are such good friends.
It's providential they are here, as we haven't
got horse or a man in the place since Man
nel disappeared, though Mr.. Fallxner says Le
can't be far away, or they would have met
him on the trail if he had gone toward the
summit
ibid they say anything more of ManuelF
Nothing; though am inclined to agree
with you that he isn't trustworthy But that
again is the result Of Johns idea of employ
ing native skill at the expense of retaining
native habitsn
The evening closed early, and with no
diminution in the falling rain and rising
wind. Falkner kept his word, and unosten-
tatiously performed the outdoor work in the
barn and stables, assisted by the only Chi
nese servant remaining, and under the ad-
vice and supervision of Kate. Although he
seemed to understand horses, she was sur
prised to find that he betrayed a civic ignor-
ance Of the ordinary details of the farm and
rustic household. It was quito impossible
that she should retain her distrustful atti-
tude or he his reserve in their enforced com
partnership. They talked freely of subjects
suggested by the situation, Falkner exhibit
ing general knowledge and intuition of
things without parade or dogmatisn Doubt
full OF all versatility as Kate was, she could
not help admitting to herself that his truths
were none the less true for their quantity or
that he got at them without ostentatious
processes. His talk certainly was more pic
turesque than her brothers and less subdu-
ing to her faculties John had always crushed
her,
When they returned to the house lie did
not linger In the parlor or sitting room, but
at once rejoined his friend. When dinner
was ready in the dining room, a little more
deliberately arranged and ornamentcd than
usual, the two women were somewhat sur
prised to receive an excuse from Falkner,
begging them to allow him for the present to
take his meals with the patient and thus save
the necessity of another attendant
at is all shyness, Kate" said Hrs. Hale
confidently, land must not be permitted for
q moment
am euro should be quite willing to stay
with tho poor boy myself said Mrs Scott
simply, sand take Mr Fakner's place while
be dimes"
"You are too willing, mother" said Mrs
Hale pertly, "and your poor boy as YOU call
him, viii never see s. again"
Ale viii never see any other birthday" re-
torted her mother, "unleSs you keep him
more quiet. He only talks when you're in
the room.'
"He wants some relief TO bis friends long
face and mustaches that make him look
prematurely in mourning" said Mrs. Hale,
with slight increase Of animation. II don't
propose to leave them too Eiuch together.
After dinner wen adjourn to their room and
tighten it up little. You must come, Kate,
to look at tie patient and counteract the bale
ful effects Of my flivolity."
Mrs. Halc's instincts were truer than her
mothers experience; not only that the
wounded mans eyes became brighter under
the provocation of her presence, but it was
evident that his naturally exuberant spirits
were part of his vital strength, and were
absolutely essential to his quick recovery
Encouraged by Falkners grave and practical
assistance which she could not ignore, Kate
vcntured to make an examination Of Lees
wound Even to her impractical eye il was
less serious than at first appeared. The great
loss of blood had been due 20 the liberation
Of certain small vessels below the knee, but
neither artery nor bone was injured. A re-
currence of tbs hemorhage or fever was the
only thing to be feaFed, and these could be
averted by bandaging, repose and simple
nursing.
The unfailing good humor Of the patient
under this manipulation, the quaint origin
atty Of his speech, the freedom of his fancy,
which was, however, always controlled by
certain instructive tact, began to affect Kate
nearly as it had the others. She found her
self laughing over the work she had under
taken in pure sense Of duty; she joined in
the hilarity produced by Lees affected terror
of her surgical mania, and offered to undo
the bandages in search of the thimble he de-
clared she had left in the wound with view
to further experiments
"You ought to broaden your practice" he
suggested. "a good deal might be made out
Of Ned and piece Of soap left carelessly on
the first step of the staircase, while noun
tains of surgical opportunities lie in a hum
BILE orange peel judiciously exposed. Only
"A